New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed using the city's fixed speed-camera network to shame leadfooted drivers into slowing down.

Speaking on his regular Friday radio program, Bloomberg said some form of public shaming could help the city make the most of the cameras while it waits for the State Legislature to approve their use in issuing fines.

“We’ll put up their names and pictures someplace,” Bloomberg said.

“Maybe we can shame them, and we should look at that, because if Albany is not going to let us do this stuff, we’ve got to save lives.”

The outspoken mayor said that he arrived at the idea while thinking of ways to punish speedsters that wouldn't involve raising revenue.

Bloomberg did not confirm if the city was considering a trial of his shaming program, although the risk of hoons treating any public display like a leader board will likely stop the idea getting far.

As with Australia's fixed speed cameras, the New York City system detects the speed of passing vehicles, taking a photo of those that exceed the city's 30mph (48km/h) speed limit.